Update 5: PBS cancels Xarabank after Franco Debono turns up for debate instead of Anglu Farrugia

PBS has cancelled this evening's Xarabank after rebel Nationalist MP Franco Debono, who last Monday voted against the budget, turned up for the programme instead of PL deputy leader Anglu Farrugia. Dr Farrugia was scheduled to take part in the debate with PN deputy leader Simon Busuttil. In a surprise statement this evening, the Labour Party said it accepted a request from Dr Debono to be given the opportunity to face Dr Busuttil during the programme. It said it took this decision after evaluating Dr Debono’s request to represent himself and be given the opportunity to explain his vote against the budget. The PL said it also considered the fact that in the past week Dr Busuttil refused another two invitations for a debate with Labour MP Anglu Farrugia on PBS programmes TVAM and Realta. This claim was denied by PBS which said that this was the third time that the PL failed to send its deputy leader for a debate with Dr Busuttil. The PL said that Dr Busuttil and Dr Farrugia had already taken part in a two-hour debate on RTK. But PBS said that the debate between the two deputy leaders had been cancelled last week at the PL's request and Dr Debono this evening turned up instead of Dr...